Cordless Jobsite Table Saw Head-To-Head

Cordless Table Saw – DEWALT vs. Milwaukee

We recently tested portable job-site table saws in our Head-T0-Head to determine the Best Portable Jobsite Table Saw, however we excluded the cordless saws. In this head-to-head we’re pitting the two current cordless table saws against each other. The DEWALT 60V FlexVolt DCS7485T1 8-1/4″ against the Milwaukee M18 2736-21HD 8-1/4″. While these two saws look pretty similar they certainly are powered using very different voltages with the DEWALT using a 60V MAX (54 volt) battery pack and motor and the Milwaukee using an 18 volt pack and motor. While they use different voltages, they were both tested with the same total battery pack energy of 216 watt-hours.

Table Saw Evaluation Format

Just like our previous corded table saw head to head we’re testing the cordless table saws in the same format. For this evaluation, we broke things into several categories including: Precision & Accuracy, Performance (power), Price, and Ergonomics.

Precision & Accuracy – In this category we evaluated the accuracy of the table saws straight out of the box, and how easy it is to make calibration adjustments. We also discuss the quality of the fence system as it relates to ripping accurate cuts.

Performance – The performance evaluation took a very deep dive into the power of the saw motors and how well the saws managed different ripping materials including plywood, pressure treated Southern Yellow Pine 5/4 decking and IPE 3/4 decking. We measured saw RPM’s and Amps for each of the cutting materials under constant feed rates.

Price – Price is always an important factor in determining which saw is best for a user. We’ve included the current pricing found online for each of the saws at the time of publication.

Ergonomics – Ergonomics are really important to users and an important category to consider when purchasing any power tool. In addition to traditional ergonomics, we also included functionality in this category.

Cordless Table Saw Features & Specifications

Before we get into the testing this section includes the features and specifications for each of the two cordless table saws. As you’ll see the two saws offer nearly identical specifications with the only noticeable difference being speed blade and voltage. The size, weight, and features are so similar that you’d swear they were a red and yellow version of the same saw.

Cordless Table Saw Precision & Accuracy – Winner DEWALT

Once again we looked at the precision and accuracy of the saws out of the box. TBB compared the relative accuracy of these two test saws. How would the battery powered saws compare to each other? We measured the manufactured tolerances and ranked these saws for as-built accuracy.

What and How We Measured

To assess the manufactured accuracy of the saws, TBB looked at six areas to measure and compare: Table Flatness, Accuracy of 45 Deg. Stop, Accuracy of 90 Deg. Stop, Blade Parallel to Miter Slot, Fence Parallel to Miter Slot, and blade run-out.

Table Flatness

We evaluated the flatness of the table by measuring the flatness by placing the edge of a precision ground flat bar across the table and placed feeler gauges in any gaps to measure any difference between the ground bar and the table. TBB took measurements in four directions. As the operator faces the saw, we measured the flatness at the arbor from front-to-rear; we measured the left-to right flatness at the arbor; we measured the flatness from the upper left-to-lower right table corners; and, finally, we measured the upper right-to-lower left flatness between the corners.

Table Flatness Front To Back

DEWALT: 0.0025″

Milwaukee: 0.012″

Table Flatness Left to Right

Milwaukee: 0.01″

DEWALT: 0.08″

Table Flatness Lower Left to Upper Right

Milwaukee: 0.015″

DEWALT: 0.015″

Table Flatness Upper Left to Lower Right

DEWALT: 0.008″

Milwaukee: 0.028″

The flatness results were close: DEWALT edged out Milwaukee by taking 2 out of the 4 measurements and one tie. As a point of reference, a sheet of paper is only 0.004″ thick.

Accuracy of 45 Deg. Stop

TBB measured the accuracy of the factory-set 45 degree stop by using a Wixey WR365 digital inclinometer. This device has an accuracy of 0.1 degree. We placed the Wixey gauge on the table and calibrated the inclinometer to the table by zeroing out the gauge. After that calibration, the measurements shown on the gauge give a result that is relative to the saw table. We attached the gauge to the blade and used the saw mechanism to adjust the blade incline to the point at which the blade or trunnion hit the factory-set 45 degree stop and recorded the measurement. TBB ran the test twice to ensure the repeatability of the measurement. In every case, the result came out to within 0.1 degree of the prior test.

DEWALT: 45.0 degrees

Milwaukee: 46.3 degrees

Clearly the DEWALT took this category and the Milwaukee needed some adjustments.

Accuracy of Vertical 90 Deg. Stop

TBB measured the accuracy of the factory-set 90 degree stop by using a Wixey WR365 digital inclinometer. This device has an accuracy of 0.1 degree. We placed the Wixey gauge on the table and calibrated the inclinometer to the table by zeroing out the gauge. After that calibration, the measurements give a result that is relative to the saw table. We moved the blade to an approximate position of 70 degrees off vertical. TBB attached the gauge to the blade and used the saw mechanism to adjust the blade incline to the point at which the blade or trunnion hit the factory-set 90 degree vertical stop and recorded the measurement. TBB ran the test twice to ensure the repeatability of the measurement. In every case, the result came out to within 0.1 degree of the prior test.

DEWALT: 90.0 degrees

Milwaukee: 89.0 degrees

Clearly the DEWALT took this category and the Milwaukee needed some adjustments.

Blade Parallel to Miter Slot

TBB used an iGauging 35-125-4 digital dial indicator to measure the accuracy of the blade position to the table miter slot. This instrument has an accuracy of .0005 inches. As part of the table saw set-up, TBB installed a new blade in each saw and these never-before-used blades were used in the measurement test. To ensure that any wobble in the blade did not enter into the test results, TBB marked a single tooth as the reference point for the measurement. The blade position was moved to the front of the saw to allow the iGauging dial indicator to hit the tooth immediately behind the carbide tooth, The iGauging dial indicator was calibrated and the indicator had a reading of zero.

We rotated the blade to the rear of the saw to enable the dial indicator to contact the same location of the same tooth behind the carbide portion. We positioned the dial indicator to the rear of the saw placed onto the blade and the reading recorded. If the blade and the miter slot were closer together at the rear of the saw, the dial indicator has a negative reading. If the blade and the miter slot were father apart at the rear of the saw, the dial indicator showed a positive reading.

DEWALT: 0.01″

Milwaukee: 0.08″

Again, DEWALT took the category with a much closer tolerance.

Saw Fence Parallel to Miter Slot

The accuracy and safety of any given saw is dependent upon the blade being parallel to the rip fence. Since we tested the amount of difference in parallelism between the saw blade and the miter slot in the previous test, we need only to see if the miter slot is parallel to the rip fence to see if the saw has a parallel relationship between the blade and the rip fence.

TBB used the same iGauging 35-125-4 digital dial indicator to measure the accuracy of the as-delivered factory fence to the table miter slot. We started by placing the fence in a locked position about 1” away from the blade on the opposite side from the miter slot. We adjusted the throw of the dial indicator so that we took the readings on the indicator, as before, in the middle of the indicator’s range of movement.

We calibrated the iGauging dial indicator to a zero reading at the operator’s end of the rip fence so that we started out with a reading of zero. Next, we positioned the dial indicator to the rear of the saw placed onto the rip fence and took the reading.

If the fence and the miter slot were closer together at the rear of the saw, the dial indicator has a negative reading. If the blade and the miter slot were father apart at the rear of the saw, the dial indicator showed a positive reading. A negative reading meant that the materials being cut might be subject to being pinched and a kick back more likely to occur.

DEWALT: 0.032″

Milwaukee: 0.065″

Again, DEWALT took the category with a much closer tolerance.

Blade Runout

One term you may hear when reading about table saw accuracy is blade runout. Runout is a term that describes whether or how much the outside edge of a saw blade wobbles while being held by the motor shaft. Sometimes, operators measure runout by using a saw blade. In that case, the very use of a saw blade presumes that the specific blade is perfect or nearly perfect in its flatness. In this comparison, we used the identical balde to measure the blade runout of the saws. This operation was necessary because our ground flat measurement plate is 10 inches in diameter and would not fit in these smaller saws. Using the same blade means the relative results will be an accurate measurement of the saw contribution to runout.

The same iGauging dial indicator provided the test measurements, only this time, the units were set to read out in mm. TBB noticed that in the initial saws, the movements were sufficiently small to need the smaller metric units. TBB placed the dial indicator on the starting position of the test blade and calibrated that position on the dial indicator to a reading of zero. We were very careful to rotate the test blade by using the outside rim so as not to impart any side-to-side force on the plate that might introduce errors into the measurements.

While we rotated the test blade, we recorded the maximum reading on the dial indicator. We validated each maximum reading by running the test for a second time and noting that the readings were consistent.

Milwaukee: 0.049″

DEWALT: 0.065″

For this test Milwaukee finished first.

Overall Cordless Table Saw Precision & Accuracy Results

We performed a total of 9 different measurements in this category and DEWALT took 6 of them, Milwaukee took 2, and one was a tie. DEWALT was the clear winner in this category.

Cordless Table Saw Performance – Winner (A Tie)

The million dollar question about any cordless table saw is how long will it run? We developed three different run-time tests to see how the two saws perform and how long they can run on a fully charged battery pack. These tests also allowed us to compare the saws on how well they “run” during very different cutting applications. The three tests included:

Ripping 3/4″ Plywood

Ripping 2×6 SPF Framing Lumber

Ripping 3/4″ thick IPE Decking

We chose these three materials to help evaluate a wide range or applications and power demand on the table saws. The lightest “demand” being the 3/4″ plywood which is a fairly standard application for a jobsite table saw and also similar to ripping softwood trim like Pine and Poplar. Next we ripped 2×6 SPF framing lumber for a moderate “demand” application. Finally we wanted to see how the saws performed under a difficult “demand” application so we ripped the 1x IPE decking.

We really wanted to see if the different demand applications would show different results for the two drastically different voltage saws.

For this testing we used two different blades from DEWALT and Milwaukee. For each type of wood, we installed a new blade in each saw. We used the same blade for each test. For example, when we cut plywood, both saws used the DEWALT FlexVolt 24T blade. When we ripped the IPE decking both saws were using the Milwaukee 40T finish blade. And for the framing lumber tests we used another set of new DEWALT FlexVolt 24T blades.

Run-time Results

In the graphic above are the results from the three different run-time tests that we performed. The run-time results are very close. For the IPE decking both saws cut a total of 256 lineal feet of material. For the framing lumber, DEWALT cut approximately 40 lineal feet more than the Milwaukee with 264 lf compared to 224 lf. And lastly, for the plywood test DEWALT cut approximately 48 lineal feet more than the Milwaukee with 608 lf compared to 560 lf.

So the question really is do either of the saws out-perform the other when it comes to run-time? Clearly the DEWALT was a bit better than the Milwaukee but honestly the difference is so small that it’s virtually a tie. What’s more impressive is the amount of cuts these cordless tablesaws can do on a single charge. Each of the saws was able to make over 70 rip cuts in 3/4″ plywood (8′ long), approximately 30 rip cuts in 2x framing lumber (8′ long), and 32 rips in 3/4″ thick IPE decking (8′ long).

While these numbers certainly are not a big deal if you’re cutting ALL day long on the table saw, they are impressive for punch list and small trim jobs. Also, paired with a second battery it’s likely that most users can keep working all day.

Performance

While cutting all the material for the run-time testing we were able to get a good feel of the two saws and how they compare. Both saws feel very strong and didn’t have trouble cutting the materials we selected for the tests. More notably, everyone felt the Milwaukee cut much smoother and felt a bit stronger. The DEWALT felt like it was “chattering” at times while the Milwaukee cut smoothly and didn’t seem to be bogged down.

Overall Cordless Table Saw Performance

The run-time testing wasn’t much of a surprise to us as we figured that two saws using the same total battery pack energy should provide similar run-time results. While the DEWALT did slightly beat the Milwaukee in two of the tests, the difference really doesn’t change the overall production between the two. On the other hand, the Milwaukee felt like it ran much smoother compared to the DEWALT. At the end of the day we feel the performance of these two saws is too close to declare a winner.

Cordless Table Saw Ergonomics / Features – Winner Milwaukee

Both cordless table saws were compared and evaluated on several ergonomic and feature categories that we feel are important to end users.

Weight – Both cordless table saws weigh in at just over 40 lbs (w/out battery); Milwaukee at 43 lbs and DEWALT at 45 lbs. Milwaukee wins by a slight margin.

Blade Height Adjustment – The DEWALT saw takes 36 turns of the wheel to raise the blade to full height. The Milwaukee only takes 14 turns to raise the blade full height. Milwaukee is the clear winner with a much more efficient height adjustment design.

Switch Design – The Milwaukee has a much better power switch design. One of our big gripes with the DEWALT saw is how the safety switch can easily turn off the saw just after turning the saw on. The switch cover falls down as you remove your fingers and the weight of the cover turns the saw off. The Milwaukee doesn’t suffer from this design issue and therefore is a much better design in our eyes.

Blade Change – Milwaukee did a good job using an arbor lock so users only need one wrench to change blades. On the contrary, the DEWALT requires two wrenches which can be cumbersome and not as easy as the arbor lock design.

Fence – Both saws use a rack-and-pinion fence design which we prefer

Adjustments / Riving Knife – Milwaukee provides a tool free guard and riving knife design, by releasing a lever under the table the riving knife and guard can simply be pulled out. On the other hand, the DEWALT requires a user to take off the throat plate, remove riving knife lock knob then remove the riving knife or guard. This is a pretty big difference in our opinion.

Stand Leg Adjustment – The Milwaukee stand does offer a leg leveler but it broke on us not long after putting the saw on a real jobsite. The folks at Milwaukee tell us they are working on an improved design to correct the lack of performance. The DEWALT stand doesn’t provide a feature for leveling the stand.

Stand – Overall the stands are quite similar with one notable exception. The Milwaukee stand has a simple clamp that keeps the stand attached to the saw so you can carry the entire assembly as one, while the DEWALT does not which means users must move both separately.

One-Key – Another big feature that Milwaukee offers that DEWALT does not is the One-Key technology. One-Key offers tool lock-out, tool tracking, and a robust asset management feature. This added value offers users peace of mind on busy jobsites.

Overall Milwaukee clearly spent some time looking at the features and ergonomics of the new saw. While both saws have similar features the Milwaukee edges them out in several categories.

Cordless Table Saw Pricing

Obviously pricing is a concern to any user so this category is always important. Below are current pricing for the saw, one battery, and the stand.

Milwaukee – M18 Cordless Table Saw, Scissor Stand, 12 Ah battery pack and rapid charger: $628 UPDATED (at the original time of publishing we saw a promo with a free stand, that is no longer available so the pricing was adjusted to include the stand price of $79).

* Note: DEWALT isn’t selling any kits that we could find with everything in it so we had to price each item separately, whereas the Milwaukee is sold as a kit which is most likely why the pricing is so good.

The Milwaukee is slightly cheaper than DEWALT.

Best Cordless Table Saw

We seldom have a hard time picking a winner in Head-To-Head testing on TBB but this time the results are far too close. Both the DEWALT and Milwaukee Cordless Table Saws are very good. While the DEWALT offers a slight edge on run-time the Milwaukee has slightly better features and a lower price point. Also, for Milwaukee users this saw is a continuation and expansion of the M18 platform unlike the DEWALT platform that users must move up to the new FlexVolt line.

If you own either of these cordless platforms the selection for you is an easy one. These two saws look like they could be twins other than the paint schemes and their performance certainly matches their appearance.

While we know you guys expect a winner each time, but this was just too close. At the end of the day, these two saws are once again expanding the ever growing cordless job-site and cutting the cord!

Cordless Table Saw – DEWALT vs. Milwaukee

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About the author

Todd Fratzel

Todd Fratzel is the Editor of Tool Box Buzz and the President of Front Steps Media, LLC, a web based media company focused on the Home Improvement and Construction Industry.He is also the Principal Engineer for United Construction Corp., located in Newport, NH. In his capacity at United he oversees the Residential and Commercial Building Division along with all Design-Build projects.He is also the editor of Home Construction & Improvement.

It would be interesting to know if there is a difference in total linear feet cut using the factory installed blades for each unit. Seems like the development engineers may have optimized their own unit’s blade selection to their system since each operate at different RPMs. I am somewhat unclear what the value is to checking the accuracy of these units unless (like the tables themselves) it is not correctable. I mean I think its ridiculous to think your going to buy one of these and not do your due diligence to check and adjust the blade 90/45 degree setting and fence and miter gauge straightness or accuracy. It’s data but somewhat meaningless considering how far and how well it was treated in shipment could impact these figures and that they are easily corrected I’m just not sure the value. Table flatness and spindle runout are significantly more difficult to correct by the end user and are true factors that would tend to indicate manufacturing tolerances and QA acceptability. Such a great time we live in to be able to tote one of these home I love it! Thanks for your thorough review!

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